Benitez Keeping Faith in Torres Despite Firing Europa League Blank

Chelsea's interim boss Rafa Benitez is confident striker Fernando Torres will return to form after a series of missed chances in the Europa League last 32 draw with Spartar Prague extended a run one goal in the Spaniard's last 13 appearances.

After Torres shot wide, scooped an effort onto the roof of the net and headed over in the first half, the 28 year old was denied by the onrushing Tomas Vaclik after the interval as David Lafata's first half goal looked like taking the tie into extra time.

Eden Hazard smashed Chelsea through to the last 16 with a goal in the second minute of added on time, but concern continues to surround the form of the club's £50m striker, who has scored once in 2013.

But Benitez is keen to look at the positives despite Torres having scored eight goals in 22 appearances since his arrival in November.

Torres missed four presentable chances amid a frustrating evening for the Spanish forward.

"We can be talking about Fernando not scoring goals, but I will change to positive, he had four chances," Benitez said.

"I have seen some games that he was not in the eight positions and he didn't have these chances.

"Four good chances, the keeper was doing well for some of them but that is what you're expecting from your striker.

"He will score another goal and have confidence but still for the team he was still doing a good job.

"The situation is not that the striker has disappeared and you don't see him, he was there, he was there in the right place at the right time and he was working very hard for the team.

"Disappointed that he didn't score? Yes but we are but we are still really pleased with his movements and what he did for the team."

With Demba Ba ineligible for the Europa League following his previous participation with Newcastle United, Chelsea will be forced to rely on Torres throughout the remainder of the competition, which sees them take on Steaua Burcharest in last 16.

And should Torres encounter similarly presentable opportunities in the future, Benitez is confident the ex-Liverpool forward will produce a different result.

"When we came he was scoring goals in those first games and now he's not scoring goals now but again I have to take the positives," Benitez added

"He worked hard for the team and he had chances. I'm sure next time he will score one or two goals and it will be different.

"He's not scoring but he's playing better.

"Today he was not playing bad so you can analyse a striker for the amount of goals that he scored but at the same time I will say that he was doing a great job for the team.

"It was not easy to press a team that was comfortable in possession but he was doing a good work and afterwards he was in the right place to take the chances. If he cold take everyone of his chance it would be better."